Protective system against hailstone damage

ABSTRACT

A protective system to shield a vehicle from hailstones. The protective system includes: a protective sheet (1), a reel (2) on which is wound the protective sheet (1), a deployment element (3) configured to deploy the protective sheet (1) from the reel (2) to over the vehicle, wherein an end (12) of the deployment element (3) is fixed to a pivot point such that the deployment element swings from a retracted position and a deployed position, and a support structure (4) configured to support the protective sheet (1) above the aircraft, wherein the support structure (4) is between the fixed end (11) of the deployment element (3) and the reel (2).

RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to European Patent Application EP 17382385.7 filed Jun. 21, 2017, the entirety of which is incorporated by reference.

FILED OF THE INVENTION

The invention is related to a protective system against hailstone damage specially indicated to protect aircrafts but also applicable for other kind of objects to be protected.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Different solutions exist to protect objects against hailstones damages. There are known inflatable protectors that cover vehicles and thus can be used to protect the vehicles from hailstones. For example, a hail net supported by beams creates a roof over a vehicle that shields the vehicle from hailstones. Inflatable hangars have been used to shield aircrafts from hailstones. It is also known place pads on exposed surfaces of stationary aircraft to protect those surfaces and the aircraft from hailstones.

Although the above known solutions protect vehicles from hailstones, they can take too long to setup and often become permanent installations. Also current solutions tend to required excessive human resources to set up, tend to be complex in their setup and require wide spaces to store the protectors.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A protective system has been invented and is disclosed herein that may be used to shield aircraft and other vehicles from hailstones. The invention may be embodied as having the following elements:

(a) a protective sheet adapted to receive and stop the hailstones before they reach a vehicle,

(b) a reel which rolls up the protective sheet, wherein the reel is configured to allow the deployment and retraction of the protective sheet from the reel,

(c) a deployment element configured to unfurl the protective sheet from the reel. The deployment element has a first end configured to be joined to the protective sheet and a second fixed end. The first end is pivotably movable around the fixed end between a first position in which the protective sheet is configured to be stored wound on the reel and a second position in which the protective sheet is deployed from the reel, and

(d) a support structure configured to support the protective sheet in its deployed position. The support structure is between the fixed end of the deployment element and the reel.

The protective system, once deployed, is able to cover the whole vehicle, such as an aircraft. Alternatively, the protective system may be deployed to cover just a part of an aircraft or vehicle, such as covering a wing. The deployed protective system includes: a protective sheet that is deployed, a pivoting structure that extends the protective sheet over the vehicle to be protected, a support structure that prevents the protector from being entangled with the vehicle being protected and collaborates in the extension of the protective sheet in an approximately horizontal position, and a reel that stores the protector when not in use.

The protective system may be quickly and easily retracted onto the reel after a storm is finished. Turing the reel rolls up the protective sheet. The structures of the protection system return to initial positions when the protective sheet is rolled up.

As the protective sheet, the deployment element and the support structure could be located in a stored position when they are not being used, there is no need to move and install big structures. Another advantage is that it has no impact in the surrounding area when the system is not deployed.

The protective system may be controlled hydraulically, which allows the system to be retracted quickly and with few human resources.

SUMMARY OF THE FIGURES

To complete the description and in order to provide for a better understanding of the invention, a set of drawings is provided. The drawings form an integral part of the description and illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention. The drawings comprise the following figures.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention covering the wing of an aircraft.

FIG. 2 shows a front view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 in which the protective system is located in a buried configuration and in a retracted position.

FIG. 3 shows a front view of the embodiment of FIG. 2 in which the support structure is deployed from its buried location.

FIG. 4 shows a front view of the embodiment of FIG. 2 in which the deployment element unrolls the protective sheet.

FIG. 5 shows a front view of the embodiment of FIG. 2 in which the deployment element extends the protective sheet over the support structure.

FIG. 6 shows a front view of the embodiment of FIG. 2 in which the deployment element deploys the protective sheet over the vehicle to be covered.

FIG. 7 shows a plan view of the embodiment of FIG. 2 in which the protective sheet is deployed over the vehicle to be covered.

FIG. 8 shows a plan view and a lateral view of another embodiment in which the protective sheet entirely covers an aircraft.

FIG. 9 shows a plan view of another embodiment in which several protective sheets cover different parts of an aircraft such as wings, horizontal tail planes and front fuselage.

FIG. 10 shows a front view of an additional embodiment in which the support structure is telescopic.

FIG. 11 shows a front view of an additional embodiment in which the support structure is rotatable.

FIG. 12 shows a front view of an additional embodiment in which the protective system is located on a wheeled vehicle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1 to 12 show different embodiments of a novel and inventive protective system.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the main elements of the protective system which include:

(a) A protective sheet (1) that will cover and protect a vehicle, such as a wing of an aircraft against. The protective sheet shields the vehicle from damages produced by the hailstone. The protective sheet may be formed by a net, a canvas, web of plastic or woven fiber, or other suitable sheet materials.

(b) A reel (2) allows deployment and retraction of the protective sheet (1). The width of the reel (2) should be suitable for the width of the vehicle, or portion of a vehicle, to be covered.

(c) A support structure (4) is located between the pivot point of the deployment element (3) and the reel (2). The support structure maintains the protective sheet (1) in an elevated position so as to create a space underneath of it suitable for an object to be located.

(d) A deployment element (3) of the protective sheet (2). The deployment element (3) has two ends, a first end (11) joined to a free end of said protective sheet (2) and a second end (12) that is fixed, such that the deployment element (3) is able to pivot around said second end (12).

In shown embodiments, both the support structure (4) and the deployment element (3) have an inverted U shape. The deployment element (3) and the support structure (4) can be manufactured with a fixed dimension or can be made of different parts that can modify their size.

In FIGS. 2 to 6, a first embodiment is shown in which the protective system is completely buried, such as in the surface of the apron of an airport. The support structure (4) is buried in the ground in a retracted position and deployed from the ground when the protective sheet is to be deployed to cover the wing of an aircraft or other device. The reel (2) is also buried on the ground, except an aperture for the deployment of the protective sheet (1). The deployment element (3) is located parallel and joined to the ground and also buried when not in use. This embodiment has the advantage that it avoids obstacles when it is not deployed as, once the storm is finished, the reel (2), the protective sheet (1), the support structure (4) and the deployment element (3) will return to their initial position under the ground not leaving any obstacle neither causing impact in the activities to be performed.

FIG. 2 shows all the elements of the protective system to be buried. FIG. 3 shows the support structure (4) after its vertical deployment from the ground. FIG. 4 shows the deployment element (3) rotating around its pivoting point (12) such that the protective sheet (1) is being deployed.

FIG. 5 shows that, due to the location of the different elements of the protective system, the deployment of the protective sheet (1) is performed over the support structure (4) and finally FIG. 6 shows how the protective sheet (1) covers the wing of the aircraft after being totally deployed. Depending on the size, e.g., width, of the vehicle to be covered and of the reel (2), the protective sheet (1) can cover a part or the entirety of an aircraft as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9.

For instance, the reel (2) could have the length of the aircraft in order to protect totally its right or left part.

FIG. 10 shows another embodiment wherein the support structure (4) is telescopically deployed from the ground in a vertical direction and FIG. 11 shows a support structure (4) comprising a rotatable vertical structure.

Another possibility not shown in the figures is the deployment element (3) being also telescopic thus having the possibility to be deployed from a stored position.

Finally, FIG. 12 shows an additional embodiment for a protective system located on a wheel vehicle such that the system is located on a mobile platform in order to easily move it.

The system may include a processing unit (illustrated by the dotted control lines shown in FIG. 1). The processing unit may be configured to control deployment of the support structure (4), the deployment unit and the protective sheet (1) such that a centralized control is performed. The processing unit may actuate, for instance, hydraulic actuators for each of the support structure, the deployment unit and the reel. These actuators may be buried in an apron for parking an aircraft. The processing unit has the advantage that the system can be controlled remotely through a centralized control increasing the security of the system for the operators that can control the deployment from a console.

While at least one exemplary embodiment of the present invention(s) is disclosed herein, it should be understood that modifications, substitutions and alternatives may be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art and can be made without departing from the scope of this disclosure. This disclosure is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the exemplary embodiment(s). In addition, in this disclosure, the terms “comprise” or “comprising” do not exclude other elements or steps, the terms “a” or “one” do not exclude a plural number, and the term “or” means either or both. Furthermore, characteristics or steps which have been described may also be used in combination with other characteristics or steps and in any order unless the disclosure or context suggests otherwise. This disclosure hereby incorporates by reference the complete disclosure of any patent or application from which it claims benefit or priority. 

The invention is:
 1. A protective system configured to shield a vehicle from hailstones, the protective system comprising: a protective sheet, a reel on which is wound the protective sheet, wherein the reel is configured to rotate to deploy and retract the protective sheet, a deployment element configured to deploy the protective sheet from the reel, wherein the deployment element includes a first section configured to be joined to the protective sheet and an end section, distal from the first section, wherein the end section is configured to be pivotably attached to a fixed point and wherein the deployment element swings about the fixed point from first position at which the first section is proximate the reel and the protective sheet is retracted on the reel, and a second position at which the protective sheet is deployed from the reel by the deployment element and the first section is adjacent the vehicle, and a support structure having a deployed position at which the support structure supports the protective sheet above the vehicle, wherein the support structure is between the fixed end of the deployment element and the reel.
 2. The protective system, according to claim 1, wherein the support structure is movable between the deployed position and a stored position.
 3. The protective system according to claim 2, wherein the support structure includes at least one telescoping leg.
 4. The protective system according to claim 2, wherein the support structure pivots between the deployed and stored positions.
 5. The protective system according to claim 1, wherein the deployment element has an inverted U shape, the first section is at middle of the U shape and the end section is at an end of the U shape.
 6. The protective system according to claim 1, wherein the support structure has an inverted U shape.
 7. The protective system according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle is an aircraft and the reel is on another vehicle separate from the aircraft, the fixed end of the deployment element and pivot point are on the another vehicle, and the support structure is attached to the another vehicle such that the fixed point is between the support structure and the reel.
 8. The protective system according to claim 1, wherein the reel is configured to buried in a ground surface adapted to park the vehicle, the fixed point for the deployment element is at the ground surface between the reel and a parking location for the vehicle on the ground surface, and an end of the support structure is attached to the ground surface between the fixed point and the reel.
 9. The protective system, according to claim 1, further comprising a processor configured to control deployments of the support structure, the deployment element and of the protective sheet from the reel.
 10. A protective system for protecting an aircraft from hailstones, the protective system comprising: a protective sheet configured to be deployed over at least a portion of the aircraft; a reel on which is wound the protective sheet, wherein the reel rotates to deploy and retract the protective sheet; a deployment element including a first section attached to an end section of the protective sheet, an end pivotably attached to a fixed pivot point on a surface and a leg extending between the first section and the end, wherein the end swings about the fixed pivot point to move the first section from a retracted position which is proximate the reel and a deployed position which is proximate the aircraft; and a support structure configured to elevate a portion of the protective sheet above the aircraft while an elevated portion of the support structure is positioned horizontally between the reel and the fixed pivot point of the deployment element.
 11. The protective system of claim 10 wherein the reel is mounted on or within an apron for parking the aircraft, the fixed pivot point is fixed to the apron and an end of the support structure is attached to the apron.
 12. The protective system of claim 10 wherein the reel, the deployment element and the support structure are mounted to a vehicle which is configured to be positioned next to the aircraft.
 13. The protective system of claim 10 wherein the elevated portion of the support structure is moveable from a deployed position above the aircraft and a retracted position adjacent the reel.
 14. The protective system of claim 13 wherein the support structure, while in the deployed position, is oriented vertically. 